Monday, January 04, 2010

The rumours have been circulating for some time now, and tomorrow Wildrose Alliance leader Danielle Smith will be holding a media conference to announce "significant changes" to their provincial team.

Is this code for "floor crossing"?

Probably not, but there is significant potential that we could see certain Progressive Conservative MLAs cross the floor before the next election (especially if the Wildrose Alliance keeps their poll numbers up).

UPDATE: A media release on Airdrie-Chestermere MLA Rob Anderson's website has announced that he and Calgary-Fish Creek MLA Heather Forsyth are crossing the floor to the Wildrose Alliance. Anderson was first elected in 2008 and Forsyth was first elected in 1993 (and served in numerous cabinet positions under Premier Ralph Klein). The Wildrose Alliance caucus will now be the third largest caucus in the Alberta Legislature, bumping the NDP to fourth.

All of the jockeying with the Wildrose on the far right only keeps the Tories in the middle and ensures their victory. If the Liberals and NDP merged and moved more to the centre, there'd be a real threat to the government but not with the Wildrose and their extremist leader.

Huh. I stay up late and I get to see that yes, indeed, tomorrow is going to be a bad day for Brian Mason: Don Braid is reporting (in an "exclusive" that I read here first) that Forsyth and Anderson have jumped to the Alliance.

Brian is right - Airdrie-Chestermere would be one of the easiest ridings for a Wildrose Alliance candidate to win in. But Calgary-Fish Creek? Not at all. I live in this area and it is solid PC. There's a real backlash against the Wildrose here and Heather will be leaving a lot of money in the PC bank account which will be used against her.

I don't hate democracy! You'll notice I didn't mention anything bad about the NDP. They will be the opposition. That's democracy in action. David Swann and his party are undeserving of their paychecks, let alone being the opposition. At least the NDP try, and DON'T want to join the ranks of the 'irrelevant' Liberals. The NDP will be an EFFECTIVE opposition.

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The opinions expressed on this blog represent my own and not those of my employer or any organization I may be affiliated with.In addition, my thoughts and opinions change from time to time. I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This blog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot and manifestation of the various ideas running around my brain, and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed within out-of-date posts may not the same, nor even similar, to those I may hold today.

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Who is Dave Cournoyer? I am a writer, blogger, communicator, occasional media pundit, political watcher, & proud life-long Albertan. I studied Political Science at the University of Alberta and have served as Vice-President (External) of the U of A Students' Union, Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students, and communications coordinator for Alberta's official opposition party.